TALBOT1872

Chippenham ¹
13^th Oct 1829

Dear Sir,

On the rec^t of your Letter ² of the 4^th Ins^t – I wrote to M^r Atherton ³ & requested his opinion confidentially as to the responsibility & respectability of David Clarke ⁴. – His answer is as follows

“ D^r Sir,

M^r David Clarke rents a small Farm belonging to Lord Crewe & pays his Rent very well, beyond that I know nothing of his Circumstances – I believe he is a very industrious Man, which is one of the first recommendations for a Tenant – I remain &c &c

(signed) N. Atherton ”

I am very glad to inform you that Crocker has altogether declined the Farm, I therefore presume you will select either Clarke or Beaver & as soon as I have your decision, I will lose no time in entering into the necessary agreement with the Party– I have just begun the Michaelmas Audit & shall feel obliged if you will mention in your next Letter whether I shall make the Remittance to your Account at Hammersleys ⁵ or Gundrys ⁶, I ask the Question, because there is now a Charge of 5 Shillings ^pr Cent on Payments made to London by Bankers in this County – May I beg the favor [illegible deletion] of your asking the same Question of Captⁿ Feilding ⁷ as to his Payment, in case you are with him at this time.

I am Dear Sir Y^r Much Obliged Ser^t
W.H. Awdry

W.H.F. Talbot Esq
Post Office
Perth